Republicans Vote to Dismantle Obama Immigration Order

The Republican-led House is looking to revoke much of Obama's
executive order on immigration.
Image:  Shutterstock

The House voted today to undo major provisions of President Obama’s recent immigration policy, which granted legal protection to millions of undocumented immigrants.  While much of the more contentious parts of the bill are likely to get shot down in the Senate, this latest round of voting has lawmakers at each others’ throats about how best to deal with funding for the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration-related issues.

However, the division is not entirely along party lines.  In the House, 26 Republicans voted against an amendment that would end Obama’s 2012 order that allowed immigrants who enter the US illegally as children to stay in the country.  Ultimately the amendment passed 218 to 209.

The larger funding bill for Homeland Security passed 236 to 191, with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell expected to meet with members over the next few days to discuss how to move forward, including potentially amending it and sending it back to the House.  The bill would provide Homeland Security with $39.7 billion to finance the rest of the year’s budget, something both parties feel is needed to provide counterterrorism and cybersecurity, particularly in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

Republicans in favor of the legislation said it was not anti-immigrant, but a reaction to Obama’s executive order, which they feel overstepped his authority.  “By their votes last November, the people made clear they want more accountability from this president,” said Speaker John A. Boehner before the House vote.  “Enough is enough.”

Democrats argued that the legislation was dangerous in terms of risking Homeland Security’s ability to function.  “This is not a game and it is time for Republicans to take their responsibility to govern seriously instead of playing to the most extreme voices in their party,” said Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.

The issue is not likely to be resolved for several more weeks.